Bourque Helps Pirates Finish off Springfield 2-1 in Overtime

Published on April 16, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME- Chris Bourque scored his first professional goal with 2:56 left in overtime to push the Pirates to a 2-1 win over the Springfield Falcons on Friday night in front of 5,565 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

The Falcons jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the 13:56 mark of the first period on the third goal of the season by Marc Busenberg. Busenberg scored the goal by capitalizing on a loose rebound that kicked out to the top of the crease and out of the reach of goaltender Kirk Daubenspeck. Busenberg used a forehand shot to fire the puck to the left side of the cage and give the Falcons the advantage.

In the second period, the Pirates tied the came up quickly on a powerplay goal by Trent Whitfield. Brooks Laich was able to start the play by feeding it to Jared Aulin in the in the right hand face off circle. From there, Aulin fired a shot that bounced off the pads of Jean-Marc Pelletier and right on Whitfield's stick. Whitfield used a wrist shot to drill the puck to the left of the cage. For Whitfield the goal was his sixteenth of the season.

The game remained tied through the third period forcing the game to overtime. In the extra session, Chris Bourque tallied his first professional goal by picking up a pass from Michel Periard in the slot. Periard originally controlled the puck at the top of the right hand face off circle, but then found Bourque open in front. Bourque picked up the pass and cut to the right of the cage. Bourque then used a quick snap shot to ruffle the twine above Pelletier's left shoulder to give the Pirates the 2-1 win.

Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game: 1. Trent Whitfield (POR) 2. Nolan Yonkman (POR) 3. Chris Bourque (POR)

After the game, the Pirates presented the 2004-05 Player Awards. Below is a list of all the awards that were handed out on Friday night during the post-game ceremony.

Allied Home Mortgage Three Star Award (Player with the most cumulative points from being named a number a star of the game)- Jakub Klepis

Pirates American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year (Community service) - Nolan Yonkman

Most Popular Player (Team's most popular player)- Louis Robitaille

Unsung Hero (A player that works tirelessly and received little recognition at the beginning of the season) - Boyd Gordon

Players' Player (Represents the teams character and values) - Trent Whitfield

Jack Button Award (Given each year to honor the Washington Capitals' top prospect. It is named in honor of the late Jack Button, the Capitals' director of player personnel) - Boyd Gordon

Tom Ebright Award (Given to the player who best exemplifies what it means to be a Portland Pirate, as envisioned by team founder, the late Tom Ebright) - Nolan Yonkman

Most Valuable Player (Judged to be the player who has contributed most to the success of the team through sterling offense, stingy defense or sharp goaltending) - Trent Whitfield

The Pirates return to action against the Lowell Lock Monsters at the Tsongas Arena on Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2005


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